Numerical Analysis of the Hydrodynamic Performance of a Connected Offshore Floating Photovoltaic Platform Array

Abstract

Offshore floating photovoltaic (FPV) platforms have attracted attention as a promising approach for expanding solar energy utilization in marine environments. However, the hydrodynamic behavior of connected FPV arrays and the associated mooring response under realistic offshore conditions remain insufficiently understood. In this study, a numerical model of a connected offshore FPV platform array designed for the East China Sea is established using frequency-domain hydrodynamic analysis and time-domain simulations. The effects of module spacing and connector configuration are first examined for a twin-float system, and the optimized connection scheme is then applied to a 4 × 4 array. The motion responses, air-gap variation, and mooring performance of the array are evaluated under operational and extreme sea states. The results show that the surge response of the array is governed by an edge amplification effect under operational conditions, whereas the array tends to exhibit a more coordinated, quasi-rigid-body response as environmental loading increases. The heave response is influenced by wave shielding among adjacent units, while the pitch motion is strongly synchronized by the spring–damper connection system. The air-gap and mooring analyses indicate that the platform maintains sufficient freeboard and mooring safety margins under the considered sea states. These findings provide useful guidance for the preliminary design and safety assessment of connected offshore FPV arrays.

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